From the throwing of a pole to refusal and exceeding the time limit – deductions, errors, penalties and rules in the course

The performance of the rider and horse between the starting line and the finish line is judged using penalty points, points, seconds, and/or value scores, depending on the exam announcement. spring-reiter.de refers here to the criteria of the Performance Evaluation Regulations (LPO) in their 2018 version.

In the jumping competitions, different methods of judging are used from A to D. For example, method A is used for standard jumping competitions with time scoring. The ranking is determined by adding up the penalty points. In the case of a tie for the best time, the participants are placed according to the better time. In method B, the competition is decided by a jump off. In method C for time jumping competitions, the time required for the course plus any penalty seconds is decisive. Method D is used for special jumping competitions.

Rules and ratings in the course

Error/Time:
First Disobedience: 4 Penalties
Second Disobedience: 8 points deducted
Each obstacle error: 4 penalty points
Exceeding the allowed time by every starting second: 0.25 penalty points (1 penalty point in the final round)

Fall of rider or horse, as well as 3 x disobedience: expulsion

High jump:
Obstruction error: 4 penalty seconds (3 penalty seconds in the hurdle race or in the two-phase jumping event)
Exceeding the allowed time (per starting second): 0.25 penalty points (1 penalty point in the sprint or in the winning round)

Fall of rider or horse or 3 times disobedience: expulsion

Jumping:
Obstructionary errors are punished with a 0.5 point deduction
First Disobedience: 0.5 point deduction
Second Disobedience: 1.0 point deduction
Second disobedience on the same obstacle: 2.0 points deduction
Exceeding the allowed time by one second per start: 0.1 point deduction

Fall of rider or horse or 3 times disobedience: expulsion

Ideal time:
Exceeding or falling below the ideal time from the second second: 0.25 penalty points

FN Hunter class:
Each obstacle failure: 5 penalty points
First disobedience: 5 points deducted
Second disobedience: 10 points deducted
Second disobedience on the same obstacle: 20 penalty points

Errors in combinations

Open combination: In case of disobedience, the rider must repeat all the jumps of the combination.

Closed combination: In case of disobedience, the rider is obliged to continue the course by jumping the remaining jumps of the combination.

Time measurement

The timing begins when the horse and rider pass the starting line after the whistle and ends the moment the duo crosses the finish line.

If an obstacle is thrown or flipped over due to disobedience, the bell is rung and the clock is stopped. As soon as the obstacle is rebuilt, the bell rings again and the rider can continue the course. The clock is restarted when the horse starts to jump.

If the timing is interrupted due to disobedience, extra penalty charges are added to the time required for the course.

They are as follows:

  • 6 seconds for disobedience in front of a simple obstacle or the first jump of an open combination or a jump of a closed combination.
  • 8 seconds for disobedience before the second jump of an open combination.
  • 10 seconds for disobedience before the third or subsequent jump of an open combination.

Foreign help

Any interference by a person with the intention of helping the rider or the horse during the competition is prohibited.

Exclusion from the exam results in:

  • If the rider does not get on the test course within 60 seconds after the judge calls for start.
  • A rider starts before the signal to start has been given.
  • The time taken from crossing the starting line to overcoming the first obstacle is 45 seconds.
  • The rider starts before the starting signal is given.
  • The third disobedience.
  • The fall of the rider or horse. (If the rider falls after the finish line, he is not disqualified; however, he must sit down again and leave the course on horseback. Otherwise, disqualification is also threatened here.)
  • Exceeding the maximum time.
  • Skipping an obstacle outside the prescribed order.
  • The distortion without correction.
  • If the rider fails to repeat all the jumps of the combination after a disobedience in an open or open part of the combination.
  • The rider continues riding after the interruption without waiting for the release signal.
  • If the rider leaves the test area before the course has ended.
  • The use of unauthorized equipment.
  • Foreign help
  • If a horse resists for 45 seconds continuously during the course.
  • The use of any electronic means of communication during the examination.
  • Unsportsmanlike behavior and failure to comply with the LPO regulations
  • .„Blood“-rule
    According to the new LPO 2018 regulations, horses in which fresh blood is detected in areas where a participant is usually expected to exert influence are not allowed to compete or disqualified. In case of doubt, the horse must be examined more closely, which may require interrupting the competition. If the judge does not detect fresh blood, the competition will continue. If the cause of the bleeding cannot be identified, a further examination by the tournament veterinarian must be ordered. The results of the horse examination or a further examination serve as the basis for deciding whether the horse may participate in further competitions at the same tournament.